Palo Duro​​
​Films
Keith Barber (Writer, Director) has been an actor, both on stage and screen over the past forty years. He is a proud graduate of the SUNY Purchase Acting Company Class of 1982, where friendships were formed that have lasted over the years ... one of those being Sam Adelman, who he is blessed to have as the editor of Blue Ribbon Special. This is the second short that Keith has had produced in 2016: On Ice, which Mr. Barber wrote and starred in, was directed by valued colleague Jeff LeBeau and filmed earlier in the year. In 2014, he was fortunate enough to have workshopped with renowned writing coach extraordinaire Terrie Silverman; the lessons of storytelling through her tutelage were invaluable. Mr. Barber gives many thanks to long time L.A. friend Michael White for bringing his expertise to the creative team and taking this project to the next level. He also has gratitude to Gareth Williams of Detroit Street Films for giving him a venue to hear his screenplays read and the encouragement to get them made.
Michael White (Producer, Re-Recording Mixer, Sound Designer) has been involved in motion picture and television production since the age of 12. He began making Super 8 and 16mm films in his hometown of Zelienople, PA while in middle school. During high school, he produced and directed over 300 hours of television programming for the local cable access TV channel. He moved to Hollywood, CA in 1983 and graduated from Columbia College Los Angeles in 1986 with a BA degree in Cinema and an AA Degree in Television Engineering.
During the 1980's and 1990's, he produced and directed many more 16mm and 35mm short and feature length independent films. He has also worked for more than 30 years as a staff Re-recording Sound Mixer and Editor for SSI Advanced Post Services, one of the largest and oldest audio and video post-production facilities in Hollywood. Over those 30+ years he has worked on several hundred hours of television programming and over 10,000 TV, home video, radio, and internet commercials.
Foster Wilson (Sophia) is a filmmaker and actor. She earned her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied for 3 years with the Atlantic Theater Company. Notable on-screen credits include Don't Trust The B--- In APT 23, Jackrabbit Sky California Winter, Home For Good, Bohembit, Solved, On Ice and I Didn't Know I was Pregnant. She is the co-creator of the web series The Junior League Of Superheroes, in which she also stars as the"White Russian".
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In 2015, Foster co-founded Detroit Street Films, an independent film production company. In DSF’s inaugural year, the company has produced a dozen films including Foster’s directorial debut Brick & Mopsie (IFFCA Official Selection). Her most recent project, Waffles is a narrative short starring Jeanine Mason (Bunheads, Of Kings and Prophets) and Leslie Stevens (The Young and The Restless, Bosch). Foster is currently directing a short with actor John Benjamin Hickey (Tallulah, The Big C) and developing a collaborative feature based on the play La Ronde.
Barry Papick (Larry) is an accomplished actor, acting coach and teacher. As an actor, Mr. Papick has been in over 20 feature films, 20 stage plays and many episodic television shows including Swans Crossing, where he was a series regular. Barry has recently been seen in Fear, Inc. which premiered in September, 2016 and Lake Effects on the Hallmark Channel. He guest starred on many episodics including, Shameless on Showtime and Without A Trace on CBS. He can be seen in Howard Stern’s Private Parts, Gus Van Sant’s Finding Forrester and Andrew Niccol’s Simone. He has wrapped the feature film Rejourer and the television pilots The Monticito Motor Club for Lifetime and The Mason Twins for NBC. Presently Mr. Papick is filming Black Dossier, an independent TV pilot. He is also the voice of GNC’s advertising campaign Beat Average and can be seen in a Head and Shoulders commercial presently running with NY Giant Odell Beckum Jr.
Mr. Papick has also written the comedy pilot Pearl, short film Breakable and the stage play Ruby’s Arms.
Virginia Linden (Producer) is an actress, producer and yoga teacher based in Hollywood, CA. She is extremely proud to be producer on this gem of a short film. Blue Ribbon Special. She most recently co-produced The Landlady, a black & white 35mm short film about to hit the film festival circuit as well. She was first assistant director on a TV pilot Hossein & Abdul.
Virginia is a grateful member of the Will Wallace Acting Company where she takes his master class and is an active member of Detroit St. Films. Besides being a SAG actress, she has also taught yoga for 14 years.
Susan Hopper (Producer, Assistant Director) is an actor, producer and designer living in Santa Monica, CA. She worked as an associate producer on major motion pictures for Fox, MGM, Hanna Barbera and Warner Brothers. Suze took her first acting class while attending LSU to satisfy an elective requirement to complete her degree in finance. Her fate was sealed right then and there. A few years later, this southern girl was living in Los Angeles working in the film business.
Susan is a member of SAG, Detroit St. Films and John Ruskin Theatre. She’s working on several projects, at this time, in Louisiana & California.
George Su (Director of Photography) MFA in Cinematography, American Film Institute; BFA in Film & TV, New York University. Feature credits include Marin Blue, Home James, Comeback Dad, For the Love of Ruth, and To Hell and Back. Brand clients include Best Buy, LG, McDonalds, Shakey's, Coca-Cola, Sam Adams, Zacapa, Olay, Dyson, Toyota. His television work can be seen on MTV, VH1, BET, TV One, UP TV, Viceland, Discovery, History, Animal Planet and Food Network. Member of IATSE Local 600.
Sam Adelman (Editor) is proud to list Blue Ribbon Special as his 50th professional film credit. Other memorable titles include the award winners Salim Baba and Screen Door Jesus, the popular Easy Money, Desperately Seeking Susan, and Donnie Brasco, and this year's A Cat's Tale and Hometown Hero. He can now honestly say he's worked with Sidney Lumet, Nora Ephron, and Keith Barber. He considers his daughter his life's masterpiece, and he lives and works from New York City.
Adam Ambruso (Mike) hales from Austin, where he attended the University of Texas. He moved to Los Angeles after graduation. Adam is a member of the esteemed Will Wallace Acting Company. He can be seen as a lead actor in the Syfy Network’s Atomic Shark, which was one of their tentpole movies for “Shark Week” this past July. He was also a lead actor in Butterfly Caught, due to be released in December, 2016. More recently, he produced and acted in the human rights film Trafficked starring Ashley Judd, which will be screened at the UN in New York in November, 2016. He can also be seen in Running Wild starring Sharon Stone, also scheduled for release at the end of 2016. He is set to start filming soon the suspense thriller Hell’s Acre, a true story about the first American serial family.
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Kevin Briggs (Composer, Musician) moved to Los Angeles from Rochester, NY in 1999. Along with his brother A.J., he formed the band Molly Gunner in 2005. They played the Viper Room, B.B. Kings and the historical Hollywood Avalon. They also performed at the 2007 Griffith Park Music Festival and provided music forThe High Times Swimsuit 2008 Calendar DVD.
Other professional credits include: Instrumentals on the horror film Boo, his song "Everything’s OK" closes the film Bad Apple and his composition “Corner Pocket” is featured in Road to Paloma starring Lisa Bonet & Jason Momoa. He's collaborated with CA band H&T, recording at Emmy Award Winner J.J. Abram's studio Bad Robot. In 2012, Kevin, his brother A.J. and Rod Jackson (Lead vocalist for Slash of G&R first solo album) recorded a cover of Otis Redding’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” for Aids Foundation Los Angeles. His song “Awakening” has been featured on UFC TV and radio slots. He's the nephew of Blue Ribbon Special film maker Keith Barber and is thrilled to be supplying the music for Mr. Barber's film along with fellow musicians A.J. Briggs and Bryan Senatore.
Important members of our creative team:
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Craft Services: Hopper/Linden Eats
Script Consultant: Luciano Guerriero
Make-Up: Sandy Bee
A very special thanks to:
Cory Reeder
Little Red Hen
Lonzia Shay
Sabrina Miller
Ty Washington
Michael Gresch
Bjorn Johnson
Julie Pongos
Detroit Street Films
Will Wallace & the Will Wallace Acting Company
Sound Recordist: Gavin Farnsworth
Assistant Cameraman: Colin Stephens
Script Supervisor: Devon Werden
Photo Stills & Grip: Brian Leahy
Musician: Bryan Senatore
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Musician: A.J.Briggs
Gino Panaro (Colorist) He's been working his craft as a colorist in Hollywood for over 22 years. His most recent credits include, Zoolander 2, Fast & Furious 7, Midnight Special, Project Almanac, By The Sea, and the TV series The New Normal.